Untitled - Seadogs Reunited

Seafaring is a unique profession. Over the years that the sailor spends at sea,she meets many different and colourful characters. She has
endless adventures and experiences all over the World. What marks one sailor apart from another is the memories she leaves behind in the
minds of those she has known. It is also a great tradition to 'Dine Out' those who have given so much of themselves to the success of the ships
on which they sailed and the P&O as a whole.
Susan Jones is a greatly respected and much loved Senior Officer who came to sea for a bit of a look around for a couple of years. She has
given the P&O thirty years of continuous and loyal service. More importantly, she has made a contribution which only she could. Her professional
approach, her good humour and occasional obstinacy defines her as one of our best loved Pursers.
When plans were being made for Susan's dining out Zak Coombes, Naomi McFerran and I sent out messages to the fleet and our 'Old Chums'
asking for stories we could all share. The response is a true measure of the level of admiration that so many people have for our 'Miss Jones'.
I have been overwhelmed by the number of messages. I hope that this book will bring Susan happy memories and remind her that despite the
moments of madness in her career she has touched the lives of very many people.
On a personal note Susan has been a colleague for all of her thirty years. We met when we were both at the start of our careers and 'bumped
into' one another over the subsequent years. We have laughed together, argued occasionally, but always found a way to make sure the job was
done to the benefit of everyone. We have lunched in many exotic locations, as long as there was a bottle of dry white available, and spent several
amusing hours together in Houses of Couture.
She is an intelligent, obstinate, opinionated and sensible senior officer who I am proud to say has also been a friend. She has sought out advice
when she felt it necessary and been equally happy to give it even when it wasn't!!!!
I like to think that if I have been able to influence her in any one thing, that is that she now realises that all children are not terrible and that adults
all started out that way.
It has always been a pleasure, well nearly always, to sail with her and I am sure that everyone who has every worked with her and had the good
sense to pay attention will have learnt a great deal that will stand them well in their professional future.
P&O will be the worse for her retirement but she is very deserving of it. Whatever she chooses to do it is absolutely certain that she will leave an
impact on whoever crosses her path. Lunches ashore will be an altogether quieter affair.
Hamish D G Reid
Captain
I was chatting with Zak this morning and we were trying to recollect anecdotes concerning Miss Jones!
I recall one, How does one delicately describe the periodic (!) lack of activity on the love live front and, as she once described to me,
the sealing up of her 'jewel box'?
I always wonder what the outcome was of her special friendship with Lord Lichfield, (Patrick Lichfield) during his cruises with the
old Sea Princess as celebratory photographer. Lord Stirling travelled on board the same cruise and he twigged what was going on
and I am sure I recall him putting red gels in to the lights in the office entrance to her cabin and creating a 'boudoir' atmosphere in the
hope that this would lead to intimacies that may well lead to developments on the 'royal jewel' front!
As I wrote in a card I left on Susan's Desk last turnround as she embarked on her final working cruise, Susan is a friend and a
respected colleague. I shall miss my earnest and humorous chats with her.
warmest wishes
Tim
Tim Yates
General Manager Hotel Operations
H
In light of this being Susan's final cruise, I would appreciate it if you would share the following message with her during her farewell
party.
I have known Susan for 30 years, both in an operational capacity and for the last twelve years as a Director of the business. Susan has
always impressed me with her ability take a measured approach in times of adversity and her ability to push back on knee jerk
reactions. She has never been backward in coming forward and always makes sure her views are heard! Susan always has the
interest of her team at heart, she has managed them well and takes a personal interest in there well being.
We have been through a number of changes over the years and Susan has always been at the sharp end of change and has not held
back in implementing new ideas and initiatives. Her energy and drive in steering the conversion of Star Princess to Arcadia was
exhausting.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Susan for her help, council and support over the years, she has been an
invaluable member of the team and will be greatly missed.
I wish her well for the future and a long, healthy and happy retirement. I am however convinced that she has kept a secret frog in the
wings who will shortly be changing into a dashing Prince who will be sweeping her away to pastures new!
With kind regards and very best wishes,
Neal
Director, Hotel Services and Entertainment
Carnival UK / P&O Cruises
+44 (0) 23 80655070: Tel
+44 (0) 7801 039737: Mobile
E-mail: neal.martin@carnivalukgroup.com
Whilst it is a number of years since I retired, and many more since this incident took place on one of Canberra's turn rounds in
Sydney, and gave me very good reason to remember Susan.
We had our usual heavy storing programme, which meant that we had to do a midnight shift loading meat. Susan was A/P catering
and it was usual for them to do this night shift. I expressed some concern with the D/P Catering about this young lady doing this shift
with the "Rough" wharfies but was told "She'll handle it OK" and indeed she did, It was not long before she had them under control,
and at the meal break (the ship provided a cooked meal for the wharfies) I was advised by the foreman that they would put in a
special effort so that they would finish early so that that nice young lady could get some sleep! But I wasn't to take this as a precedent
when working out the loading tonnages in future!
Please pass on my congratulations to her on her achievements, and wish her a happy and healthy retirement.
My Best wishes to you also, and Trust that the World (if not Fleet Personnel) is treating you well. Please also pass on my best wishes
to any others who may remember me
Peter Scott (Ex director P&O Australia)
H
Dear Susan,
I'm going to miss you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. It just won't be the same without you!
Hope you enjoy your retirement and take it easy but don't forget to visit us!
Hope you like the pictures.
Again we'll miss you.
Love Grace x x x and Ann x x x
It will indeed be the end of an era that started when a very junior
WAP got the full attention of the British crew aboard the Old Oriana
with her firm, but quite correct, interpretation of the rules of cash
advances. This led to what was actually a respectful, if rather
dubious, nickname of "Tin Knickers". No doubt, there are few of us
who will remember that one.
As for photos, the attached is one of the less embarrassing ones . . .
Best regards
Ian Walters
Captain
mv Arcadia
Hamish........... please accept warm greetings from Julia and myself: still resident in the depths of Somerset, where a very comfortable
guest room awaits friends and colleagues from yesteryear. But now the crunch! Thanks to the good offices of Derek Warmington and
Zak Coombs I glean that Sue is about to retire. I would be grateful if you would give her my very best wishes for a long and happy
retirement and thanks for being a breath of fresh air on whatever ship it was when we sailed together: and I would be even more
grateful if you could just give her a peck on the cheek and tell her that it was from a very ancient mariner who still has a twinkle in
his eye (and that's about all he has got!)
With humble salaams - and safe sailing to you all Philip Jackson (retired Captain)
H
My message to Sue as follows:
"I sailed with Sue on the Canberra when she was Deputy Purser and
again on the Island Princess when she was Purser. This fact alone
locks me in by virtue of the Official Secrets Act. I do, however, recall
a cracking Miss Jones moment with Sue laughing raucously on IP
one February 13th many years ago, as the Cruise Director was
attempting to pen the Valentine's Princess Patter front page for the
following day without using the word penis. God bless Shane the
Cruise Director - I know that Sue very much enjoyed his humour. I
wish Sue a long and happy retirement. Our fleet will be worse off
without her."
Very best wishes and much love from Peter Hollinson, Passenger
Services Director aboard Caribbean Princess.
Hamish,
Hope you all have a wonderful evening and on behalf of the ships
company we wish her a very happy, long and healthy retirement.
No doubt I will see her in aisle 30 of Tesco's in Banbury should she
run out of Vina Sol - they have plenty in stock now. With Mike Carr
a regular Banbury Tesco's visitor as well
I will now have two retirees to cope with.
Cheers
Julian
Best regards
Julian Burgess
Captain
m.v. Oceana
"From all of your friends amongst the Executive Committee and Ships Company we wish you a long, happy and healthy retirement "
Best regards
Julian
Julian Burgess
Captain
m.v. Oceana
Susan, you will be greatly missed by us all. I doubt anyone in head
office ashore realises just how much the company has benefited over
the years from your expertise and wisdom. I really enjoyed sailing
with you and learned much from your management style and
common sense approach. We will also miss your quick wit and great
sense of humour. I am sure the misbehaving passengers and crew
will remember their bollockings too! The 3 musketeers from
Canberra are no longer sailing together but thanks for putting up with
us! I wish you many years of happy retirement. Please keep in touch.
Regards
Peter
Peter Thomas
Executive Purser
mv OCEANA
Dear Susan,
When I joined the company you were the PURSER on Canberra in
Durban at the time, getting ready for the last leg of the RWC - Cape
Town to Southampton
You made me feel very welcome and ensured I had a decent Cabin it was a Court cabin on A Deck - arrival Cape Town you arranged for
my family to come aboard
visit the Ship and have lunch - it was a wonderful way to start my
career with P&O SNCo - thank you
I wish you all the very best on your retirement and may all your
wishes come true - lots of health and happiness
Keep in touch
Love
Patrick
xx
Patrick G Harrison
Executive Purser
mv Ventura
Ext: 5153
Forgot to send my own best wishes for a long and very happy retirement !
Hope she is happy and it was lovely working with her ..
now .........!!!!
Stop talking and start the serious side of the evening .. the PG ! ...
and I do not mean Tips !
All the very best
Zakko
Forgot to send my own best wishes for a long and very happy retirement !
Hope she is happy and it was lovely working with her ..
now .........!!!!
Stop talking and start the serious side of the evening .. the PG! ...
and I do not mean Tips !
All the very best
Zakko
Zak Coombs
Executive Purser
mv ARTEMIS
Miss Jones
In saying farewell, I suppose I can recollect and ponder the true sense of the saying “Who would have thought”.
Way back when on Victoria, I cannot even recall the year…was in ’95 ish? Little me watering the plants and selling slot machine
tokens, one day found that I was to be out of work…the Casino Operation sold! There we were sitting in your office with a glass of
white wine each, pondering my future at sea. I was not willing to call it a day….the questions came, could I or would I work in the
Restaurant? The Bars? The shops? All no. Could I work in the Purser’s Office? Seemed at the time the only possible option. Before
long I was in whites; JAP on the Reception Desk; setting off on a World Cruise. I was elated!
Who would have ever thought then that you would be handing over your desk, keys and bleep for the final time to the junior “Ms”
Jones?
From one Jones to another, thank you for your support and guidance to our teams and me over the years. I wish you every happiness
in your retirement and may doing nothing be everything.
Best wishes from myself and the Oriana Hotel Team.
Kathy
Thanks for the opportunity to help wish Susan well. Yes, I have a number of fond and happy memories of working together. We
spent time on the IP in the early 80's and had a lot of fun.
I hope you both can still recall the back office of the IP. At one time, Sue was Crew AP and I was SAP. I sat immediately opposite
the glass door and was the first to see/greet anyone entering. Sue sat perpendicular to my desk facing the outboard bulkhead with her
back to the door. The custom was to enjoy a curry with the Pakistanis - if I recall Mohammed Akbar was the CPO. Well after a
couple of beers and a great curry for lunch the old gastric system used to work well and in fact became super-charged. By the end of
the afternoon the air was discoloured and even a little putrid. Every time someone entered the office I used to hold my nose and
motion in the direction of Susan - who did not see what I was doing - the visitors soon understood and either coughed, gagged or just
retreated!
Of course, Susan had no idea what was going on as she has no sense of smell! The visitors all thought it was her problem and not
mine!
She was the perfect office work mate as she never complained, worked very hard and enjoyed a beer!
Please send her my love and best wishes. She was great to work with and always had a comment to make and used her humour well.
I recall Emilio Gandolfi teaching her (please excuse my phonetic Italian) 'el lutimo parolo est' - translated as 'I have the last word'. I
am sure that she still does!
Love to Susan and to you all.
Come and visit when you are in Cornwall.
Caio!
Paul Brougham (ex Purser and Office Wallah Princess)
"Wishing you a long and happy retirement"
Kind regards Jackie Bott - Senior Purser - PSM
Many thanks
Jackie
Jacqueline S Bott
Senior - Passenger Services Manager - Ventura
Hotel Services & Entertainment Department
Carnival UK/RH4(a)
Email:- jackie.bott@pocruises.com
Tel. +44 (0) 2380 655048
Miss Jones
Thank you for your support and
guidance over the last 12 years. I
am so sorry I cannot be with you to
dine you out in style. I will always
hold fond memories of the times we
have sailed together and the
extraordinary situations we have
dealt with over the years! One
saying you taught me was......."The
ship runs itself....so don't f**k it
up!" I will also miss sitting in on
your "Purserial bollockings" always so direct! I am sure there
are many messages to read out so
wishing you a lovely evening and a
happy retirement and we look
forward to catching up.
Love David and Jade x
Having only worked with Miss Jones on Oriana, I have to say they were the most entertaining contracts which included discussions
for the best places for lunches ashore and various requests for the Port Agent not to worry about clearing the ship but to get ashore to
the local supermarkets and get the white wine delivered to the ship!
Miss Jones couldn't understand why I was offended when she was asked about the Port Paper requirements in one particular port, she
turned..... looked at me... and replied to the Port Agent " Why have a dog and bark yourself? Pinkie.... answer the agent".
She would often come into me and say " Come On..... let’s get the ETA's sent off the ship, I don't do that tippy typing thing, you can
do it"
Ask her about the lady who made her really angry when accusing her of being called Mrs rather than a Miss....... and how Miss Jones
responded. I had to leave the room in the end, as I could not contain my laughter...
Or the passenger who argued over what was considered assault after pushing the Security Patrolman, because he 'had the right to'. I
remember Miss Jones's neck getting redder and redder and thought she was going to come over the desk at him!
Miss Jones, I know you have been counting down the days, as you have been (and I quote ) "losing the will to live", looking forward
to following in Captain Mike Carr’s footsteps of retirement. I hope you have enough stocks of your favourite white to last you many
months, that your thatched cottage is a happy retreat for you after all these years of travelling the world and that you don't miss your
Spaghetti Vongole too much. You have been an inspiration and you will be missed by many people. Have a happy and well deserved
retirement.
Warm regards
Pinkie
H
I have many fond memories of Miss Jones, and the great personality and mind of knowledge that she is, however my 1 overriding
memory is from Chennai - India on the 2006 Oriana World Cruise (or Grand Voyage as the Marketeers called it).
The Cruise had not got off to a good start as we had a massive Norwalk outbreak shortly after leaving Southampton and we were
under a lot of pressure trying to find cabins for Sandy Scrubbers etc.
We then hit Mumbai and had the usual disasters there with immigration etc - all of our patience was being tested to the limit.
We then found out from the bridge that due to some creative itinerary planning (i,e going through the straits between Sri Lanka and
India - which as you know is not possible due to lack of water depth) that we were going to arrive in Chennai around 3 hours late.
Now we already were having logistical problems as they did not have enough coaches in the area to run both the tours and provide a
continual shuttle service so arriving late was just not what we wanted. We came up with a cunning plan however and allocated
timings for the shuttle buses that we were certain would work.
Anyway we finally arrived in Chennai at around 10am (now considering we were 3 hours late you would have expected all the agents
and officials to be there waiting but NO - not a soul was in sight). Miss Jones was at the gangway waiting for the officials and
somehow received notification that they were not going to even appear on the quayside from their office building until we were
completely tied up.
Well, she became like a whirling dervish and flew down the gangway with arms aloft waving them around madly and making very
large animated gestures so that all the passengers lining promenade deck could see her frustration.
When she finally managed to locate the officials, she frogmarched them (nearly running) along the quayside only for them to then
take another 15mins to hum and ahh over clearance, and then ask if they could go for something to eat! I won't tell you what she
said, but it was not, ‘Yes, no problem!’
For me the day was also an absolute nightmare, but I cannot have imagined coping with it if Miss Jones had not been there, and
whilst we both vowed there and then that day - to avoid India at all costs on Grand Voyages, I have seen I am heading that way again
in 2008 - let's hope it goes more smoothly.
Kind Regards
Ian
Ian Herechuk
Passenger Services Manager
mv Aurora
"Dear Susan
Firstly, I would like to thank you for always taking care of the Dawbers for me. You have always gone the extra mile on that one,
thank you so much.
I am not sure if you may recall back in 1987 when I was Purser on IP and SMS had given me the job of clearing all the Hotel
storerooms and get rid of all the crap to introduce the first Central Hotel Storekeeper. Peter Stevens arrived and the two of us set to
work identifying all the redundant crap we couldn't use.
We had one litre silver milk jugs, water jugs with no ice lip, absolutely loads of stuff been there for years and not sure what to do
with it until I came up with the brilliant idea of transhipping it!
I waited for the opportune moment when we would meet RP in Skagway. I had basically intended to catch Huggins but you took over
from her three days before and unfortunately it was you who got lumbered when we transhipped all the stuff to you. I do remember
you questioning it but we managed to gloss over that bit by saying Huggins must have forgotten to mention it at Handover !!
Stevens and I enjoyed a couple of very cold beers on the back deck as we watched RP sail into the sunset with all that rubbish which
we knew could never be used !!
If it's any consolation I did get a huge bollocking from SMS when I sent in the paperwork you signed for credit. I didn't get the credit!
And if it's more consolation, that bollocking was nothing compared to the one he gave me after doing the same thing to Mike
Cramper on Sea Princess in Sitka, having loaded him up with about 75 outsize stockpots telling him he would realise their use once
he got the Australian menus!!
Anyway, have a great evening Susan, thank you for everything, I shan't be far behind you and look forward to catching you at a
reunion somewhere! "
Thanks David
Best Regards
Peter
Passenger Services Director
Pacific Princess
Ext. #2510
email: pahpsdr1@princesscruises.com
How sad for us (but not for you) to see such an icon driving off in her SLK, into retirement! I too will be making a similar journey
very soon.... adding to the erosion of Peter Mayner's ENG1 client list! May many, many healthy and happy years Miss Jones.
Andy Hiscox
Passenger Services Director
mv Pacific Sun - at Port Vila, Vanuatu
Susan,
Heard that you would be going out to pasture shortly and I would like to wish you well in your retirement.
I have now been retired for five years and seem to be busy all day every day. Goodness knows where I got the time to work.
Thank you for all the courtesies you extended myself and staff whilst trundling back and forth through the Panama Canal.
Again, I wish you all the best and if you happen to be in the area again you can always make contact through Norton Lilly.
Fondest regards
Chris Glasscock
Could you please pass on my very best wishes to her for a wonderful evening tonight and many years of health and happiness to
follow. I can certainly recommend retirement and confirm there is life beyond P&O (or should I say Carnival?) I look back to
joining the old 'Oriana' with Susan in Sydney many moons ago and suddenly it doesn't seem so long ago. I wonder where all the
years went........ Anyway, my very best wishes and thoughts are with you all tonight.
Kind regards.
Jill
Jill Branagan
Email:- jillbranagan@tiscali.co.uk
Phone :- 01794 512344
H
Re Sue Jones, it's hard to believe she's retiring. I still think of her as she was when I last saw her over twenty years ago - I guess
we've all changed slightly since then. I sailed with her on Canberra circa 78/79 and it all seems a bit of a haze now but there again it
was a bit of a haze. Sue was either the second or third female to be employed by P & O in a catering officer capacity. Up until 76 it
has been a purely male domain, but the Sex Discrimination Act stopped all that (I was the fourth to be taken on in 77). It was great
that P & O employed us gals in traditionally male roles but they failed to take the lack of available female accommodation into
account. It was fine and dandy sleeping with the guys on Officers' Deck but not so great on the showering and loo arrangements.
Miss Jones took this aspect in her stride. Whereas I meekly looked under the door for evidence of a male in attendance before
entering, Sue, without a qualm walked in and greeted any unsuspecting lad regardless of their stage of ablution. She reckoned she
could recognize any male on the Officers' Deck without the privilege of their own facilities regardless of their state of undress and
from any angle, what a girl! Give her our regards I’ve got a lot of photographs neatly thrown into an old shoe box. I'm sure I have the
odd one of her so if time and patience permits. I'll scan and send you what I find.
Hopefully we'll catch up in December.
Regards, Hilary (Hilary Wheeler nee ??)
H
Steve Morton-Smith/FLP/Princess Cruises@PRINCESSCRUISES
Dear Susan,
I believe that we first served on the Canberra together in 1977/8
and I was the 'Bureau Manager' (a mis-guided title) and you were
the Crew A.P. and even Andrew Kennedy was the Ship's
Accountant (another mis-guided idea...the title that is not Andrew!)
Fast forward to you storming the desert in Palm Springs for your
Princess Cruises Hotel Management Training and then back to
P&O to cement your reputation as an efficient and compassionate
and always supportive Executive Purser.
You have had a long and rich career and made many friends and I
wish you well in a long and healthy new life, it’s not retirement, it's
the beginning!
And I can highly recommend it!
Very best wishes and keep in touch.
Steve
Steve Morton-Smith
Senior Vice President (Retired)
Fleet Operations
Princess Cruises and Cunard Line
To Dear Susan
Well done on completing a successful career and being at the top for a considerable time. It was good fun and challenging sailing
with you from the early days on Pacific Princess
through to Sea Princess/Victoria. Many will miss you at sea. Life starts again when you stop work. All good wishes for the next
adventure and we hope that will include visits to
Cornwall.
Love from Colin and Heather Campbell
H
"Rory Smith" <rorysmith@countryside-inter.net>
Derek Warmington passed on the news that Susan is taking the plunge and retiring shortly. When we last met she was thinking of it
and I can only commend her for her common sense. I can heartily recommend retirement and from all accounts, she should be going
to heaven from hell.
I gather that you are dining her out on the 28th. Could you please pass on the following message in the traditional manner when the
MC delivers the messages from her many shipmates both present and past.
" Miss Jones, (or will you metamorphose into Susan once permanently on land?)
It was a long time ago in the 1970s when we first met in Canbarra, and our paths crossed on many occasions in various ships in the
ensuing years. Your fountain of information on good restaurants and local wines around the world were much valued and were often
put to good use. Numerous high-class establishments in the Med will sorely miss your visits, not least Max Mara and Versace, but
your wardrobe should now be sufficient to maintain the image when buzzing around Banbury in your SLK.
Always enjoyed sailing with you, and I wish you every enjoyment in your retirement. Look after the frogs."
Rory
Peter Pratt forwarded your SMJ retirement email to me. Please give Miss Jones my best wishes on her retirement; I am sure she will
enjoy herself as much as most of us do. The attached photo was taken in Royal Princess in the summer of 1985 when all the Purser
Officers stopped smoking, I think that's why she was on her knees!
Rgds
Mike Hawkesworth (retired)
Dear Susan,
You may recall that you were the first P&O Cruises Purser I met when I spent a familiarisation cruise
with you onboard Victoria back in 1994. Although a Naval Officer at the time, not only did you make
me feel welcome but you also took the time out of a busy schedule to talk me through the role of the
Purser at sea. I remember well your honesty, courtesy and above all, your sense of humour and plain
speaking. I went on to join the company and as is well known became a Purser and in fact you were the
very first Purser I handed over to when you were my relief in February 1995 upon leaving Canberra in
Auckland, New Zealand. As is well known I went on, eventually became an Executive Purser and
finally retired from the company in 2005.
By comparison with me, yours has been a long and distinguished career with P&O Cruises. Highly
regarded by your seniors, peers, staff and passengers, there is little doubt that you will be missed by
many. Whilst I wouldn't dream of offering you advice as a Purser, I can say something about
retirement. When it befalls you, the first thought to enter your head is "what do I do now?" Believe me.
there is so much that you suddenly find yourself able to do, at your pace and no pressure upon you to
do one thing or another. In fact, you can find your days so full of things to do that there is little or no
chance of boredom setting in, The world is your oyster and retirement offers you untold levels of
pleasure and enjoyment.
Your retirement dinner is so richly deserved. There can be no better accolade that being dined out into
retirement by your seafaring colleagues, at the sharp end. I do hope that you will and have had a
wonderful evening.
I wish all the very best in your retirement. May you enjoy a long and happy one, full of contentment
and satisfaction in being able to look back on a job well done.
With all my good wishes for the future.
Brian Purnell
x
P.S Please keep in touch, You have my e mail address above.
Hi
I sailed with Sue Jones on the Canberra and would like to say it was always a pleasure, Please send my fondest regards and best
wishes for her retirement.
Nick Tanner Ex P&O and myself often talk about the days gone by and Sue often comes up in Conversation.
I passed on your e mail address to Nick yesterday in Capetown and i think he will be in touch as well.
Pip Dennis (Ex Accom Supervisor Canberra)
Regards
Pip
P S Dennis
************************
Hotel Services Director
RMS St Helena
************************
huggsusan@o2email.co.uk
Hallo
I suddenly remembered.
miss jones joined arcadia as her 1st ship - I was SWAP as they were called then. Sue was one of the new influx of JAPs with catering
qualifications. She joined in sydney - nice long flt to join her first ship!
She then had to be the cashier & sell bottle vouchers to our lovely friendly aust.
Miss Jones had to have her afternoon tea which her stwd wld bring to the cabin. This one day she went to get her tea & on her way
down the stairs she slipped & broke her arm. She had only been onboard 2 weeks. She went home on that long flt!!!!
another time she came sunbathing with me on deck & covered herself in a blanket - everyone else was wearing bathers !!!!!!!!
Perhaps you shd also ask her about the aft morgue on canberra???
hope all goes well.
Sue
Hi young Sue!
Rumour has it that you are about to retire.
I think you should reconsider this foolish decision. Have you any idea how bloody tiring retirement can be? In any event, you surely
cannot be old enough!
Gee, when I think back to the days when all I had to do was to put in twelve hours a day in the office working for idiots, race around
the world the world for shipboard meetings to answer impossible questions on the latest economies, etc., etc., etc., I just didn't know
how well off I was!
Now, there are not enough hours in the day even though I have the time to do all the jobs I would previously have paid someone else
to do; a wife twenty-four hours a day demanding shopping expeditions, my opinion on such varied and interesting things as paint
colours and curtain designs and what I want for dinner, two dogs willing me to take them for long walks at least twice a day, various
voluntary jobs to do (including working in a prison* where the inmates have no such worries), etc., etc., etc.
No, my gal! Take the advice of an old stager and stay put!
Assuming that you decide to ignore this advice - enjoy yourself! Stop worrying about the idiots, the ridiculous hours, economies and
the answers to impossible questions!
Sincerest best wishes to you, Hamish and to anyone else who owns up to knowing me!
Regards
Brian MacDonald
* Don't bother with the prison jokes - I've heard them all!
WILLIAM FLEMING <w.s.fleming@btinternet.com>
Greetings from deepest Grampian - still endeavouring to administer to the Buchan malingerers- quite a flourishing local tribe.
More particularly my sincerest good wishes to Susan. Unfortunately, I wasn't fortunate enough to sail with her too often but each
occasion ranging from demure JWAP to forbidding Senior Purser was always guaranteed fun and lost of respect for her
professionalism. I hope you have the best of Cuban cigars to go with the immaculate wines and liqueurs for such an auspicious
occasion to allow her to be wreathed in the finest of smoke.
I would hesitate to raise any snippets of gossip from such an illustrious career but can only hope that the photographers who are
designated to record this dining out for posterity are properly upper class though sadly not minor royalty.
My best wishes Susan for a wonderful retirement. You certainly deserve it and will have many happy memories - not least of cheery
lunches ashore.
Stuart
All I will say is 'Don't mention Royal Photogs!' or indeed 'Furry Rabbits'!
JR (Jason Reddy, ex ship's doctor - black chap )
Oh Miss Jones!! How well I remember those early eighties!
If only Leonard Rossiter could have met the REAL Miss Jones perhaps Rising Damp would have been short lived!
Retirement can be a second chance at life - I should know. It's been seven years, a wife, four children and a new country for me!
Congratulations on a successful carreer and my best wishes for a well earned retirement.
To Dear Susan
Well done on completing a successful career and being at the top for a considerable time. It was good fun and challenging sailing
with you from the early days on Pacific Princess
through to Sea Princess/Victoria. Many will miss you at sea. Life starts again when you stop work. All good wishes for the next
adventure and we hope that will include visits to
Cornwall.
Love from Colin and Heather Campbell
I understand Susan Jones is about to join those of us who have gone before and very much wish to pass to her congratulations upon
reaching such a milestone as retirement.
During my time Susan was one of the first of senior female sea going personnel to achieve such exulted position as that of ' Purser'
come now 'Executive Purser' which from the male orientated world that then prevailed, was a very great achievement indeed. It was a
position she discharged with much professionalism and dedication and always found time to accommodate operational shore staff in a
helpful way no matter what the situation and this was greatly appreciated.
So please give her my very best regards and wish her a long and well earned retirement.
Equally my regards to yourself and of course to any others who may be sailing with you who might recall this "blast from the past".
Wishing you fair winds and fine weather,
Sincerely
Terry Mitchell
Hello Sue
Here is wishing you a very happy retirement, may it be a long and happy one.
Who knows, perhaps you might consider becoming an "Ancient Mariner" and join the rest of us.
With fondest love and best wishes
Derek Houghton (ex Accommodation Officer)
H
"ann.gibb1" <ann.gibb1@btinternet.com>
From Ian Gibb
Sue,
It seems just like yesterday that I thought
you were a girl and you advised me that I
must surely be mistaken - you were a boy
and didn't do shorthand!
Enjoy your party among friends, and your
retirement - I can recommend the latter: as
to your captain and friends, that's another
matter...
From Ann and Ian many good wishes and
fond memories.
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your impending release into freedom.......... we are all out here ready to welcome you to the "other side"!!
You were always a real inspiration to all your troops, but I particularly want to thank you for sharing with us your unique ability to
organise the best shore side lunches at the most illustrious grotty nosh establishments around the world!! Long live spaghetti
vongele!!
Enjoy your dining out, and come and visit real soon............
As always,
Brent (van der Westhuysen) - ex Ship's Doctor
P.S. Did you ever get to see that video you were looking for - "Mrs Jones does Dallas"?
.................
Many thanks,
Brent.
P.S. Do you feel a reunion with Ms Jones and Hugs coming on?!
You can pass on to Susan that "I've always greatly enjoyed
going ashore with her for lunch at various Ports around the
World. Particularly her favourite Restaurant; L’ancora in
Livorno. She has always been one of my favourite colleagues,
and someone I'm proud to have called a friend since I first
sailed with her on Sea Princess. One of the pleasures of eating
ashore with her has always been that we don't spend time
talking about the job, so it's a great stress reliever. Although,
we have spent a fair amount of time chatting about her Cottage,
and I know her builder has sometimes caused her more stress
than her job over the years! I'm not sure if she would fully
appreciate the culinary delights of Aussie cruising where I am
right now on Pacific Sun. Last night I was ashore for dinner in
Cairns, and amongst other delicacies on the menu were
kangaroo and crocodile steaks! We ate outside - with huge fruit
bats circling the trees above us! Not quite like the
Mediterranean. All the best, or should I say G....Day ! and
here's one person who believes that ship life will be a much
sadder place without her to sail with anymore. I'm sure she
will really enjoy her two units of white wine at her farewell
party, and I'll be raising a glass to her myself."
Best Regards,
Jeff
Jeff Talbot
Chief Technical Officer
MV. Pacific Sun.
H
<DerekandNellWarmington@talktalk.net>
We would be most grateful if you would pass on our best wishes to Susan for a long and happy retirement at the Dinner on the 28th.
Tell her that life is pretty good out here in Pensionland, and she will soon find that she isn’t missing the world of work at all!
Best wishes
Derek and Nell Warmington
H
"John King" <john.king63@btopenworld.com>
Please pass on our Best Regards for a long, happy and healthy retirement to Sue.
Love to Sue
Safe landfalls.
Anne and John
H
RON DAVIES <ronbilldav@btinternet.com>
Hallo Susan
I wish you all the very best for a long and happy retirement.
Sincerely
Ron Davies
May we wish you a very Happy Retirement and all good health, from your friends in Istanbul, we shall miss you..
Best Regards,
Charles and Saadetin.
Merkez Deniz Istanbul
H
Rai P Caluori/HTS/Princess Cruises@PRINCESSCRUISES
Sent by: Eunice Ling@PRINCESSCRUISES
Dear Miss. Jones,
On the occasion of your retirement, Rai Caluori and the entire Fleet Operations team in Santa Clarita wish you the best for many
years to come. May you enjoy a healthy and happy retirement.
With fond regards, Rai and the team.
Best regards,
Rai.
On behalf of all Susan's friends at the Port of San Francisco (including P&O's long-time port agent, Williams Dimond/Inchcape
Shipping, and the Pier 35 cruise terminal operator, CS&B/Metro Cruise), please extend our congratulations to her as she concludes
her seagoing career and best wishes in all her future endeavours (left the "u" out on purpose).
Sincerely,
Mike Nerney
Michael Nerney
Maritime Marketing Manager
Port of San Francisco
Pier 1, The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone 415-274-0416
Fax 415-732-0416
Email mailto:michael.nerney@sfport.com
Website http://www.sfport.com/
H
Via a mutual friend, I learned about Susan Jones retirement.
Who would have thought that Ms Jones would swallow the anchor and move to a shore based life!
Myself, after 30+ years with P&O Cruises, in Sydney Australia can assure Susan that there is a life after P&O.
I would therefore like to wish Susan the very best in her retirement, with lots of good times and many happy memories of her ears
at sea!
Sincere regards,
-Theo Koke, Retired, P&O Cruises, Sydney
I will miss Susan. It has been more than two decades since we first met. Over these years during the rare calls to Turkish ports, it was
always a great pleasure to see and work with her. I even had the pleasure of sharing the same table for a lunch or dinner on different
occasions, which I remember as very pleasant moments. I can also remember when we said farewell to "Canberra" during the last call
at Kusadasi.
Susan is a member of a generation who has contributed greatly to this sector and her retirement will be a loss for everybody.
I wish her a very healthy retirement and hope that she will make up the time she spent away from home.
Susan, all the best for your future life, have fun and please keep in touch.
Merry Christmas
Sadettin Bulbul
Turkey
H
One of my colleague’s daughters, Claudia Nielsen, worked in Purser’s Office onboard m.v.Oriana from the maiden voyage and
subsequent 6 months. Thereafter she worked on other P & O vessels until 1996. She has among others also worked for Susan Jones.
One day I was approached by a senior officer from the purser’s office who asked:
Are you a relative of Claudia Nielsen?
No, I replied, but I know her well, Nielsen is just a common name in Denmark.
- I do not believe you, you must be her uncle!
A few weeks later I visited the family and told Claudia and her family about the fact that I had been appointed Claudia’s uncle.
The family was quite amused and Claudia now always addresses me UNCLE STEEN, so does her sister and her father who now is
my unofficial brother.
May I use this opportunity to thank Susan for the good working relationship over the years and best wishes for her retirement.
Best regards
Steen Withen Nielsen
Copenhagen
Dear Susan,
Heard on the grapevine that you will be retiring very shortly hence taking this opportunity I would like to send my very best wishes
for a well deserved, relaxing, enjoyable and healthy retirement and to wish you every success in all your future endeavours.
I would also like to place on record my sincere appreciation for all your support and cooperation all these years whenever you call in
Hong Kong on a P&O ship and to say that if you are heading to China or Hong Kong at some future stage for a holiday or stopover
do let me know so that I can roll out the red carpet!
Kind regards and all good wishes.
Richard Willis
Chairman
Kuoni Travel (China) Ltd
Unit 1102, 11/F, Tower A, Center Plaza, 161 Lin He Xi Rd
Guangzhou 510620, PRC
Tel:(8620)28816827 Fax:(8620)28816833
Website: www.skytravelchina.com
H
Nick Burrows/DIS/POCRUISES
Please do pass on my best to Miss Jones. I wish her every happiness...
Attached a team photo from 1996.
Nick
Please pass all my very best wishes to Susan Jones at her retirement party on November 28th.
I am greatly enjoying my retirement,& tell her that we run a retirement lunch in Southampton on May 9th 2008, which is well-worth
attending.
Derek Warmington has all the details.
All my best wishes to her again,
Freddie Lloyd (retired Chief Radio Officer)
H
I haven't sailed with Miss Jones since the Canberra era! Please pass on my warmest wishes for a
relaxing and fulfilling new career as a lady of leisure! I wonder if she has mellowed, as the rest of
us have, and finally lost the name - Machine-gun Gob!
And, yes, you can quote me if you are 'reading the telegrams' at her leaving bash.
regards,
Martin Ross
CTO
Crown Princess
Please convey to the old girl, Susan that is, the very best of wishes from all here in the Technical
Department. We will miss her wry smile and strong leadership, even if sometimes on the receiving
end!
Good luck and a long and happy retirement from us all.
David Strawford CEng CMarEng FIMarEST
Head of Technical Services
Carnival UK
Miss Jones
A sad end of an era! It’s been a pleasure to work for you over the past 11 years. Thank you for all the help and advice you gave
me during the various stages of my career at sea, your advice and guidance helped me greatly and I will never forget my times
working for you.
Wishing you all the best for a long, happy and restful retirement.
Kind regards
Leanne Stutchbury
Leanne Stutchbury
Fleet Food & Beverage Executive
Tel: 023 80 655091
Please can you pass onto Miss Jones, my love and luck for the future. I shall always fondly
remember her as the "Purser from Hell" as David James once told her at some cabin party, tickled
us all including Miss J!
Love to all on there, from me, off to Germany for Artemis refit tomorrow
XXXX
Fiona Hann
Hotel Technical Liaison Manager
Refits
I think one of the funniest things that I saw happen with Susan and myself was
when we had taken over the Star Princess as the Arcadia. The ship was
suffering a few toilet problems and one that Miss Jones was constantly
concerned about was the Crew Bar Gents. I received an email from Miss Jones
one morning saying that the urinals were not working. I went and checked and
all seemed in order. I decided that I would go and confront Miss Jones about
them.
I went marching up to the back office on Dk 05 where Miss Jones was sat in
the DP Admin Office with Eileen Clark (who was DP Admin) and several
other Pursers who appeared to be having a morning meeting.
I shouted "Come on Miss Jones Crew Bar Gents now, and don't forget your
handbag!!!!!" She actually got up and came with me - I only found out latter
that they were all on a conference call to the Southampton Office!!
Anyway I wish Susan well for her "retirement" - probably best not to mention
the cleaning of the Control Room Toilet on the Arcadia. There was many an
argument about that with Rocky who was CEO at the time.
Have a good Christmas and keep in touch.
Regards
Mike Jepson
Chief Technical Officer
Ocean Village Two
Staff Engineer ASSEO/AS/POCRUISES
If you could thank her for introducing me to public speaking.
Captain Fatchen was having his retirement bash on Aurora and he asked Miss Jones to take his place at a Masonic cocktail
party.
I had been invited to the party as a guest of one of the passengers. Miss Jones walked into the venue and saw me sat there
enjoying a pleasant cocktail and said I could do the speeches for the Captain! saying it would be character building.
Then legged it back to the Captains retirement bash, pronto. Obviously, Captain Fatchen's party was slightly more lively.
Wish her all the best for her retirement.
Regards
Brian
Brian Harrison
Staff Engineer Officer
mv Artemis
In my case, I don't really have any naughty or terribly funny stories about Susan. However, we have always enjoyed dining out on
voyages, especially on the world cruises. Last year I had my wallet nicked in Phuket and told her I was too bummed out to consider
having lunch. She certainly wasn't having any of that and most definitely considcered our tiger prawns and Thai beer far more
important than my wallet! And perhaps they were...
After some 14 years as Port Lecturer with P&O, I have always appreciated the kindness, fairness, trust and friendship shown to me by
Susan and I shall miss her presence aboard Oriana very much.
John Tabbutt-Mccarthy
Port Lecturer
m/v Oriana
ext 7700
I'm lost for words - but if you can find a place on that no doubt 'encyclopaedic' size of a farewell card, grateful if you could add the
following:
...........Miss Jones, a true icon of our seafaring age, it was a privilege to serve with you. Now, as you hoist a 'paying-off pennant' from
your starboard yardarm we wish you all the very best at the 'cottage of content’!
Best Regards
Raymond
Raymond Walsh
Accommodation Services Manager
mv Oceana
I do recall the below after a lot of thought which epitomises Miss Jones.
I remember on the Aurora when we had the largely published Norovirus outbreak a few years ago. It was the one that hit all the
headlines, and we were not allowed into Pireaus and just made it into Gibraltar. In Gib all the camera crews were there from the UK,
and there was one couple who were making the most if it from their balcony. They were actually waving two pillowcases which they
had written on 'Help Us' with lipstick. I recall seeing this troublesome couple at the reception desk arguing about an item on their
account in Southampton. Good old Miss Jones had the last laugh, by charging the cabin with the cost of two pillowcases.
I have always thought, 'Good on you Miss Jones'.
Best regards,
Olly
Restaurant Manager - Artemis
Tel 2871
Miss Jones,
It was a pleasure working with you. I will never forget you; the first Executive
Purser I sailed with at the start of my sea career. I will always remember your
love for frogs. Have a wonderful future and enjoy being a lady of leisure - you
definitely deserve it.
With Love and Best Wishes
Michelle Southon (Assistant Manager)"
Miss Jones,
You were, without doubt, the best Boss. I enjoyed working for you on Canberra when you were DP Admin. I remember being in
awe of you because Danger man’s rantings never fazed you, many a male DP had been left in tatters after his morning’s conference,
but not you.
Arcadia's refit and Christmas cruise were a nightmare but we had a great team and a lot of laughs - some of them a tad hysterical on
my part! This email is taking me ages because I am mulling over memories with a smile on my face. You were fun to work with,
always fair, calm and in control.
Enjoy your retirement and have fun, as much of it as you can possibly squeeze in!
Take Care,
With love
Eileen (Clarke nee MacFarlane ex DP Admin)
H
Jane Wood/OVH/POCRUISES
Jordan and I would like to pass on our best wishes to Susan. Susan was one of the first Exec Pursers I worked with and she helped
me a great deal in my first few months at sea. We hope she has a long and happy retirement enjoying copious amounts of her
favourite white wine!
Regards
Jane Wood
Ventura Project Team
Tel: 02380 655028
jane.wood@pocruises.com
H
Admin Manager ACADMIN/AC/POCRUISES
Hello Miss Jones - I hope the frog is still on the roof and you won’t be
scaring too many people by driving that Sportscar through the village too
fast. I will miss you greatly and hope that you will enjoy that well earned
rest. All my best wishes - Mario - The German
Many thanks & best regards,
Mario Schuelli
Administration Manager
mv Arcadia
----------------------------------------------Office - 33022
Mobile - 14412
Although we didn’t work together very often, thank you for the help and support you gave me, especially on the dreaded New York
arrival for the first time at the Brooklyn Terminal, which at the time didn’t exist! The worst cruise of my career I can honestly say.
Thank you for sharing that burden.
Good luck in whatever you plan for the future, have a happy and long life.
Many thanks & regards
Marian
Marian Weldon
Shore Excursions Manager, MV Aurora
Tel: 00871 323 301 224/ 214
Fax: 0044 2380 65 7563
Alternative email: aucomms@pocruises.com